Empowering Minority Cannabis Entrepreneurs: Enter The Black Cannabusiness CEO Intensive Program

Black CannaBusiness (BCB) and Parallel are continuing their successful partnership with their groundbreaking national education series, the Black Cannabusiness CEO Intensive Program, aimed at supporting CEOs of color in the cannabis industry. The six-week executive training program, which includes both virtual and in-person workshops, is free for participants, with all program costs covered by Parallel.

The initiative began in Boston on April 20th last year and has since trained more than 75 CEOs across five cohorts in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Tampa, and Pittsburgh. As the program enters its second year, it aims to expand its reach in core markets and double the number of entrepreneurs served.

James Jackson, Senior Director of Social Equity at Parallel, stated, “We had a great inaugural year and were honored to be able to work with over 75 entrepreneurs across the country. Entering year two, it is important for us to return to Boston to check up on our initial cohort and to reach a new class of entrepreneurs now that we’ve established a track record of success.”

Minority cannabis business owners will participate in a two-day in-person session on April 27th-28th, where they will engage with cannabis founders and professionals, complete structured exercises, and receive mentorship from leading industry experts and practitioners. Interested entrepreneurs can apply by submitting an application detailing their business, movement, and mission. All minority business owners in the cannabis space and those aspiring to start a business in the industry are encouraged to apply.

Program founder and instructor Brandon Wyatt Esq. emphasized the importance of community building in the cannabis industry, saying, “No business can survive in isolation. Through our BCB Mastermind experience, Mastermind participants are able to reestablish the vital business ecosystems and community trust which has been intentionally altered by the ‘war on drugs.’”

The BCB instructors' hands-on industry experience and advocacy help them understand the barriers to entry for cannabis business owners. Through personalized and open-format learning, program participants can increase their knowledge and real-world application. By partnering with a multi-state cannabis company like Parallel, participants gain invaluable industry insight and access to business connections in Parallel's operating markets.

As the program enters its second year, co-founder Todd Hughes expressed his excitement for the growth of the program, stating, “I am most excited for the BCB cohort participants’ engagement, expansion of resources, network, and leadership involvement with our alumni. Participants will join a family of other minority business owners striving to create change and adopt key core principles that will inspire and empower communities and the next generation of trailblazers to protect and advocate for our future liberties. Our alumni are a collective of unique and motivated individuals with diverse skill sets who are eager to see this industry grow. This collaboration will build a more inclusive and equitable industry in the present and the future.”